Chelsea’s latest clash with Arsenal proved to be a challenging test for both sides, with neither willing to give an inch. For fans tracking pre-season developments on BD Cricket Live, the match served as a final tune-up ahead of the new Premier League campaign, set to kick off in just six days. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted the team is still building fitness and sharpness, but emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard and improve with each game.
The Community Shield ended in disappointment for Chelsea, as they once again fell to Arsenal following their FA Cup final loss earlier in the summer. During the post-match press conference, Conte was visibly frustrated—not only with the result, but also with several key officiating decisions. In the penalty shootout, both Thibaut Courtois and new signing Álvaro Morata missed their spot-kicks. “Courtois is one of our best penalty takers,” Conte insisted. “If someone shows in training that they’re the best, you trust them. And don’t forget, Morata is a striker, and he missed too.”
Conte defended his new players, noting that they had limited time to integrate. “Morata missed part of the training, which is normal—he’s only been with us for two weeks,” he explained. “For him, just like Bakayoko and Rüdiger, getting fully fit and understanding our football philosophy is the top priority.”
One of the most debated moments came when Pedro was shown a red card. Conte admitted, “I didn’t see the incident clearly, so it’s hard for me to comment on the referee’s decision. But it’s frustrating—this is the second time we’ve finished with 10 men against Arsenal, and that’s disappointing.” Adding to the controversy was Willian’s fall inside the box, which the referee judged as a dive, resulting in a yellow card rather than a penalty. “Many people said it looked like a clear penalty,” Conte said. “I didn’t see it myself, but of course it’s frustrating.”
Despite his frustrations, Conte maintained that respecting the referee’s decision is part of the game, though he didn’t hide his disappointment. For those following BD Cricket Live, such moments underscore how critical refereeing can be, especially when matches are decided by the thinnest of margins.
With the new season just around the corner, Chelsea knows there’s no time to dwell on the loss. Instead, the focus shifts to fitness, tactical cohesion, and mental resilience. As seen countless times on BD Cricket Live, early-season setbacks often lay the groundwork for long-term comebacks—and Chelsea fans will hope this defeat becomes a turning point rather than a warning sign.